Control mechanism for an adjustable position furniture

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a safety arrangement for an electrically adjustable piece of furniture for sitting, reclining and/or lying down, the piece of furniture including a stationary supporting structure, a movable framework composed of articulated metallic members, and an electric motor for moving the framework, the safety arrangement including at least one electrically conductive strip conductively attached to at least those portions of the metallic members exposed to human touch, and a control unit including a touch sensor/switch electrically connected to the framework, for overridingly stopping the operation of the motor when the strip is touched during the movement of the framework.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of furniture forsitting, reclining and/or lying down, hereinafter referred to as“adjustable position furniture.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Adjustable position furniture is known, composed essentially of astationary supporting chassis to which there is linked an adjustableconfiguration framework consisting of articulated members. Some of theseframeworks are mechanically or pneumatically adjustable; however, moreand more of them are operated and adjusted electrically. Electricaladjustment is effected by a powerful motor which moves the members ofthe framework with respect to each other and with the stationary chassisin scissors-like fashion. Usually, at least the lateral sides of the,framework are exposed, presenting a real danger to the limbs of nearbypersons, including the user.

[0003] It is therefore a broad object of the present invention toameliorate the danger of injury from electrically adjustable furniture.

[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide anarrangement for governing the operation of an electric motor whichadjusts the position of the framework of an electrically adjustablepiece of furniture.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety arrangementfor an electrically adjustable piece of furniture for sitting, recliningand/or lying down, said piece of furniture including a stationarysupporting structure, a movable framework composed of articulatedmetallic members, and an electric motor for moving said framework, saidsafety arrangement comprising at least one electrically conductive stripconductively attached to at least those portions of said metallicmembers exposed to human touch, and a control unit including a touchsensor/switch electrically connected to said framework for overridinglystopping the operation of said motor when said strip is touched duringthe movement of said framework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention will now be described in connection with a certainpreferred embodiment with reference to the following illustrativefigure, so that it may be more fully understood.

[0007] With specific reference now to the figure in detail, it isstressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and forpurposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing whatis believed to be the most useful and readily understood description ofthe principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard,no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of theinvention, the description taken with the drawing making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may beembodied in practice.

[0008] In the drawing:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a safety arrangement forelectrically adjustable furniture, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] There is shown in FIG. 1 an adjustable piece of furniture 2,e.g., a bed, having a stationary supporting chassis 4, a movableframework 6 composed of a plurality of per se known articulated metallicmembers 8, a mattress 10, a separate head support 12 and an electricmotor 14. Further shown is control unit 16 for controlling the operationof motor 14. The metallic members 8 of framework 6, and possibly alsothe chassis, are made of painted metal or any other material and are atleast partly covered with a strip of conductive material, e.g., aluminumstrip 18, attached to members 8 by any suitable means, such as adhesive.

[0011] Control unit 16 consists of a touch sensor/switch 20, e.g., acapacitive switch, connected to and adapted to activate a latch module22 which, in turn, is adapted to actuate a relay 24. Relay 24 isconnected to the power line of motor 14 so as to connect and disconnectthe motor therefrom. Advantageously, control unit 16 also includes avoice module 28, so as to provide an audible alarm when the motor isdeactivated upon receiving a signal from the touch sensor/switch.Control unit 16 may be powered from an AC or DC power supply 30.

[0012] As can be understood, sensor/switch 20 detects when someonetouches the framework 6 when the motor is in operation, and activateslatch module 22, which immediately activates relay 24, causing theinstant cessation of the motor's operation. Hence, a person's limb,carelessly or inadvertently located in or on movable framework 6, willautomatically cause the interruption of the motor's operation until theuser will press reset switch 26. The relay 24 remains in thedisconnecting state as long as it does not receive a reset signal fromlatch module 22, activated by reset switch 26, thereby causing thereturn of power to motor 14.

[0013] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the inventionis not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrated embodimentsand that the present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety arrangement for an electrically adjustable piece of furniture for sitting, reclining and/or lying down, said piece of furniture including a stationary supporting structure, a movable framework composed of articulated metallic members, and an electric motor for moving said framework, said safety arrangement comprising: at least one electrically conductive strip conductively attached to at least those portions of said metallic members exposed to human touch, and a control unit including a touch sensor/switch electrically connected to said framework, for overridingly stopping the operation of said motor when said strip is touched during the movement of said framework.
 2. The safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit includes a relay connectable to the power supply line of said motor, and wherein said relay is activated by said touch sensor/switch for disconnecting the power from said motor.
 3. The safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said touch sensor/switch is a capacitive touch switch.
 4. The safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit further comprises an acoustic alarm activated by said touch sensor/switch.
 5. The safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reset switch for reactivating the motor by resetting said relay.
 6. The safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductive strip is an aluminum strip attached to said members by means of adhesive.
 7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control unit further comprises a latch module for activating said relay. 